My Salvation

by Michelle Dare

  When he pulled into the garage, he was happy to see the Jeep was sitting inside. At least she got home before me, he thought. He whipped the door to the house open so hard it hit the wall. Shit. I need to get a hold of myself.

  He did a quick lap of the lower level, not finding her. Running upstairs, he took them two at a time. Seeing the bedroom door was shut, he stood before it, trying to calm his racing heart. Stepping forward, he clasped the knob and turned.

  Walking in he noticed candles were lit throughout the room. Sitting on the bed was Cali and she took his breath away. Her back was propped against the headboard.

  She was wearing a dark pink teddy with tiny black flowers and vining leaves all over it. It had a small black ruffle at the top just above her breasts, accentuating them. She had on matching dark pink panties and black stockings that came up to her mid-thigh, with a small bow at the top of each leg. Her slender legs were bent, showing the bottom of her ass where it met the sheet.

  He stalked toward the bed as his eyes roved over her body, stopping when he reached the side. He was breathing hard and nothing had even happened yet. The anticipation was killing him. Given the outfit she had on, he knew the green light was given, that she was completely healed.

  She didn’t say anything, but sat up on her knees and moved within inches from his face. Without hesitation, he grabbed the back of her neck, crashing his lips to hers. He could feel her melt into him.

  His tongue met hers with a raw passion. Moving his hands over her body, he couldn’t get enough. He needed to touch every part of her, feel her every curve. It had been too long since he was able to let go and make love to her.

  His hands finally settled on her ass and he pulled her close. He knew he was being a little rough with her, but he couldn’t help it. The internal battle to not be too rough wavered and he barely stayed in control.

  Reaching down, she untucked his shirt and lifted it over his head. She placed kisses along his jawline, to his neck, collarbone, and abs. He felt her tongue snake out and go over the ridges of his muscles.

  He felt his cock twitch due to her nearness. Undoing his button and zipper, her hand went inside and enveloped him in warmth. His hips jerked forward at her touch. He was fighting not to come in her hand.

  Her lips found his again, while her hand continued to stroke him. Unable to wait any longer, he grabbed her legs behind her knees and pulled them out from under her. She fell to her back and stared up at him.

  He hooked his fingers into her panties and tore them from her body, material ripping, him not giving a shit. The panties went flying over his shoulder. He took off his pants and boxer briefs before crawling into the bed and on top of her.

  “I can’t wait. I have to have you. Now,” he said in a husky voice. “But this is only the beginning. I’m going to lick, touch and love every part of your body. I want you dizzy with pleasure.”

  “Owen, shut up and fuck me.”

  Anything he was holding back snapped at her words. He positioned himself at her entrance, pushing the head of his cock in, but pulled it back out. He took hold of it and used the head to spread her wetness over her mound. She was so wet, he knew he would glide right in.

  He slid his length back down and slammed into her. She cried out when he was completely sheathed and he felt a slight tremor run through her. Backing out slowly, he drove home again. Over and over he did that, fucking her hard. She was writhing beneath him.

  He missed sex with her. The intimate act was something that made him feel close to her and connected. She was gorgeous naked and he knew that her body was his and his alone.

  He brought one of his arms under her, to lift her slightly. Once he was buried deep into her, on the brink of his own orgasm, he said, “Are you ready, Cali?”

  “Yes, please. Keep moving,” she begged him.

  Breathing fast, sweat beading on his forehead, hips rocking in and out of the sweetest spot on earth. Her nails dug into his shoulders a second before she screamed his name. Capturing her lips, he moaned into her mouth as his seed shot into her. His body trembled and chills broke out over his skin.

  He rolled over, taking her with him. She laid sprawled on top of him, still connected. Hands on her ass, he starting grinding her hips into his. He could feel himself getting hard again.

  Moving his hands to her spine, they went over the teddy she had on. “You are so fucking sexy. When did you buy this?”

  She propped her chin on his chest, their eyes level. “I had Erik take me to the mall today, after the appointment.”

  His voice came out a little rushed. “You didn’t take him in with you, did you?”

  Laughing, she said, “No, I asked him to wait outside of the store. He looked uncomfortable the second he saw where I was going.”

  “Okay, good. I’m not in the mood to have a talk with him about boundaries right now.”

  “No, you don’t need to.”

  Owen started to lift the teddy off of her. She shifted and pulled the silky fabric the rest of the way off. Bringing her down, he wanted them to be skin to skin. He needed to feel her against him. Every night she had been home since the shooting, he protectively wrapped himself around her.

  The worst was when she had nightmares. She would scream his name in her sleep. He would wake at the sound to find her covered in sweat and shaking. It scared him to know there was nothing he could do to chase away the nightmares. He sat there every time, with her in his arms, whispering words of love and security to her.

  She sat, breaking him from thought and began riding his semi-erect cock. It took only a matter of seconds before he was fully hard again. She was warm and tight over him. He could feel her walls pulse every so often.

  They didn’t rush this time. It was slow and he savored the experience. She tipped her head back, letting her hair fall, tickling his bent leg. Her hands found her nipples, pinching and pulling them. Letting out a soft cry, she began to increase the pace.

  He could have stayed that way forever, watching her ride him. He grabbed her waist and sat to take her nipple into his mouth. He suckled it, swirling his tongue around the sensitive tip. Rubbing against him, he knew she found a spot that worked by the movement of her hips.

  Her hands tangled in his hair as she continued to grind on him. Owen wanted to taste more of her. Pushing her to the bed, he withdrew from her causing her to whimper in protest. Kissing along her stomach to her pelvis, he moved to her inner thigh.

  Halfway down her leg, he pressed his tongue to the other thigh and dragged it up until his tongue found her core. His tongue pushed inside a few times before running up her slit to her swollen nub. Fisting the bedding, she moaned and arched her back off of the mattress.

  He alternated between licking and sucking her clit. He inserted two fingers and pumped them, while rubbing the front of her wall. Grabbing his face, she pushed him against her.

  It turned him on more when she took control. She knew what she wanted and wanted him to give it to her. He moved his fingers faster, sending her over the edge. Her body shook and he didn’t stop until the tremors began to slow.

  Moving his mouth lower, he lapped at the remnants of her orgasm. He loved the taste of her and it was because of his mouth that she was wet and sated.

  Laying down beside her, his arms embraced her. She was still panting when she said, “Holy shit. I’m going to repay you for that.”

  A smile crept across his face. “No need. I live to pleasure you.”

  “I’m still going to.”

  His stomach rumbled, alerting him to the need for food. He planned on making love to her all night and if he was going to then he needed sustenance.

  “Throw on some clothes, I’m hungry. Let’s see what’s in the kitchen. I’m sure we missed dinner.”

  Cali chuckled, “I doubt they waited for us, especially since Erik knew what store I went to.”

  He groaned. “Don’t remind me. I don’t want to think about him going with you. And don’t do that again. If y
ou want something, I’ll take you.”

  Cali pouted. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “I know, beautiful. I loved the surprise, but next time use the internet.”

  She answered by placing soft kisses all over his face. He growled and brought them to the edge of the bed. “Clothes. Food.”

  She stood and he smacked her ass to get her moving faster. Food, sex, sex and more sex, in that order, he thought.

  Downstairs, they discovered two covered plates in the refrigerator. The plates contained pot roast, carrots, potatoes and gravy. Owen popped a potato into his mouth while he waited for hers to heat in the microwave.

  She pushed up on her toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. Her tongue licked the flavor off of her lips. “Mmm, tasty.”

  “If I wasn’t so hungry, I’d take you right here on the kitchen floor. Now get your food out of there, I’m starving.”

  Spinning so her back was to him, she lifted her shirt, showing off her bare ass. She had thrown on one of his shirts before coming downstairs. The cotton tee fell to mid-thigh on her.

  “Damn you, woman. You better eat fast.”

  While they ate, he told her tomorrow they would spend the day doing nothing, but enjoying each other and lounging at home. Sunday, however, he said they had dinner reservations and he wanted her to dress up. She begged him repeatedly to say where they were going, but he wouldn’t give in. He would have thought she learned by now he wasn’t giving anything away.

  After they finished eating, he checked the security room to see if Erik was still lingering about. The three other men he had hired to watch the house were let go since he didn’t need them any longer. Erik must have decided to go home for the weekend, like Owen asked. If he needed anything Steven was only across the property.

  He emerged from the room with a smile on his face. “Ms. Crawford, we are all alone. Where would you like me to make love to you next? Our house is empty. Anywhere inside or out, your choice.”

  Rubbing her fingers along her chin, she made a hmm noise. He stood, very impatiently waiting for her response, ready to leap into action. She really loves driving me crazy, he thought.

  “I’m going to choose outside and the hot tub, Mr. Matthews.”

  He smiled. “Works for me.”

  Crossing the room to her, he bent and swept her up in his arms. She laughed and laced her fingers behind his neck. He walked out to the patio behind the house and set her on the pavers in front of the built-in hot tub.

  The sky was clear, stars twinkling above. It was cool outside, which was perfect hot tub weather. Built in lights surrounded the area, flush with the pavers. They made a soft glow around them, just enough so they could see the path ahead.

  He turned on the jets, interior hot tub lights and turned the heater up to warm the water. Both took their clothes off and he held her hand until she lowered into the warm water, climbing in after her.

  Sitting next to her, his cock already hard at the sight of her sexy figure. She moved to his lap, legs spread to either side. His hands found her breasts to massage them. Leaning forward, their lips connected, tongues following and she took his, sucking it into her mouth.

  She shifted, bringing her clit right against his length. Using her hand to play with the head, while she ground her hips into him. Her mouth captured his moan and he brought her in as close as possible.

  The combination of the hot water, her wet core against him and the jets in the hot tub, worked him up quickly. She was moaning along with him, moving her hips faster. “Fuck, this feels so good,” she said.

  “Keep going, beautiful. Don’t stop.”

  His fingers dug into her backside as the water bubbled around them. She let out a series of moans and whimpers before coming apart, calling his name.

  A couple more thrusts of her hips and he was bucking his forward, releasing into the water. She kept sliding over him as her tremors calmed. One last stream came from his cock before he brought his head back to rest on the edge of the hot tub.

  Cali placed her head on his chest, sucking the base of his neck. He felt her body become liquid. Rubbing his hands over her spine, he collected water, trickling it on her skin.

  “Are you tired?”

  “Yes,” she said mumbling into his chest. “But I’m very comfortable and don’t want to move yet.”

  “Okay. Five more minutes and we’re going to bed.”

  Closing his eyes, he continued to stroke her back. She was his entire world and he felt lucky to have her. If the bullet would have hit a different part of her, he could be there alone, without her.

  He shook the thought away, holding her tight, afraid of what could have happened. She must have sensed the change in him. Lifting her head from his chest, she met his eyes.

  In a soft voice she asked, “What’s wrong?”

  His eyes squeezed shut for a moment before answering. “Nothing, I’m just thankful to have you with me, in my arms. I love you so fucking much, Cali. Sometimes it’s hard to breathe at the thought of what could have happened.”

  She placed a hand on his cheek, using her thumb to caress it. “I love you too, baby. Please don’t think that way. I’m still here, in front of you.”

  Cali kissed him. Not a deep, passionate kiss, but a gentle, loving, heart-melting one. The kind that you feel deep in your soul. The kind that tells you everything you need to know about how the other person is feeling without ever having to utter a single word.

  Pulling back, she said, “Let’s go to bed.”

  He gripped her tight and stood, climbing out of the hot tub with her arms and legs hooked at his back. Bending, he scooped up the clothes and carried Cali into the house, to their bed.

  ~ 27 ~

  Looking into the bathroom mirror, Cali straightened her long, brown hair. Tonight was her dinner out with Owen. She wore a black, body hugging, cocktail dress. The dress had a solid black piece underneath a layer of lace.

  The dress fell to mid-thigh with the lace continuing a little past that, scalloping along the edges at the bottom. It had three-quarter length, lace sleeves and the lace went over her shoulders, scalloping near her neck, coming to a point above her breasts.

  She paired the dress with simple black heels and a silver clutch purse, making her feel sexy and sophisticated. She only hoped he thought so too. No hints had been given of where they were going, but she was excited to see what he had planned.

  He seemed anxious to her and had been restless all day. Every time she looked at him or said something, he smiled and showed her some form of affection, but couldn’t sit still.

  Walking downstairs, she found him in the living room, staring out at the patio. He turned when she entered the room, her heels giving her away on the hardwood floor. The breath was sucked out of her at the sight of him.

  He wore a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt and silver tie. His hair was styled neatly on top and he was clean shaven. Even his shoes were shined.

  She had never seen a man as fine as him. He exuded power and passion. He was perfection and only had eyes for her. She still couldn’t believe the man standing in front of her loved her the way he did.

  Walking forward until he was inches from her, he stopped and kissed her softly, brushing his lips over hers. “You are gorgeous. Damn, if we didn’t have these reservations I might take you upstairs and remove this dress with my teeth.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. And you, Mr. Matthews, are so good-looking that I’m going to be fighting to keep women off of you tonight. I’ll have to claim my territory, let them know you are spoken for.”

  “That makes two of us. I’m going to keep a hand on you at all times. I don’t want any other man even looking in your direction. You are for me and me alone.”

  “Will you now tell me where you’re taking me?”

  He chuckled and said, “You don’t give up do you? You’ve been asking all weekend.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to wait a
little longer.”

  He offered his arm and walked her to the car. Opening the door, he held her hand as she sat inside. She wasn’t sure if she was more excited or turned on. Shifting in the seat, she decided turned on was the winning feeling. The little shift in the seat had her squeezing her legs together, feeling herself getting wet. Seeing Owen dressed up, filled her with desire.

  Sitting in the car, he reached over and ran his hand along her thigh. She turned toward him and said in a sexy voice, “If you don’t stop I’m going to climb over the center console. Then we really won’t go anywhere.”

  Growling, he removed his hand and said nothing else to her. During the ride to their destination, she would look over to him every so often and could see his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. She laughed inside at how tortured he was without her doing much of anything.

  He pulled up to the tallest building downtown. The valet opened the passenger door and she stepped out, politely thanking him. She didn’t miss how regal the building looked from the outside. Owen handed the valet the key and took her hand.

  Once inside, they got into the elevator and rode to the top floor. Stepping out, the door to the restaurant in front of her. She couldn’t believe where he had taken her. Alex’s was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.

  “Alex’s? Owen, this place is impossible to get into. How did you get a reservation?”

  He shrugged and said, “I know the owner. Built a yacht for him a couple of years ago. He’s a really nice guy, very easy to work with. We keep in touch.”

  Standing with her mouth slightly open, she thought of how he never ceased to amaze her. She always wanted to eat there, but couldn’t bring herself to spend that kind of money on food.

  “Owen, this is too much. Let’s go somewhere else.”

  He cupped her cheek with his hand. “It’s never too much when it comes to you. You deserve the best of everything.”